Wrecked Bucket

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What do you guys and gals think about them apples'Do you say neglect? Or abuse or maybe both.. Attached ImagesLast edited by lovetoweld; 10-20-2012 at 09:49 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by lovetoweldWhat do you guys and gals think about them apples'Do you say neglect? Or abuse or maybe both..
Reply:Agree w/ Mondo. Reminds me of the "pay me now or pay me later". I guess they decided to pay later. And the operator(s) need some *** kickin' done on them. Looks like they were trying to pry the immovable object loose.                                                               MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:That from prying on something that they shouldn't have I see an entire bottom replacement in that buckets futureBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Looks like the operator should get a super huge A$$ chewing over that. But on the bright side shouldn't take much to gouge and clean up the sides. Then cut a straight line with the track torch to attach a new floor and lip. At least it still has the ears on it... post up more pics as you get it fixed up.
Reply:Maybe I am wrong for saying this to the customer but I told him that the time and money it takes for me to fix this bucket may not be worth the money for a used one. Also to add to this mess, the back of the bucket had the wear plates removed and never installed...Probably the cause, right? The back skin of the bucket is worn so thin that a chipping hammer could actually pierce a hole through with little force. This happened when the operator was lifting a bucket full of water soaked grass clippings. Any feedback is much appreciated.
Reply:both wear pates are in identical condition - bottom that was never fixed... Attached Images
Reply:So  offer to build a new bucket. We need some amusment.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Looking at the picts last night I wondered if the issue started on the right hand side of the bucket at the wall. My 1st thought was they'd rubbed the floor down so much that they thinned out the floor where it met the wall. That tear there is almost too straight. Better picts of that side wouldn't hurt.The wear strips being gone doesn't surprise me. I've seen dozens of machines guys simply wore them off of and never bothered with repairs. That plus the super thin floor, sort of supports my 1st thought that they simply wore thru the material on the right side.Used bucket vs rebuild... That would be a close call. If he can find one easy, that might end up being the easiest route to go. Cost effectiveness will depend on how far he's got to go to find the bucket and transport it, and what the place wants for it. Buckets that size near me aren't easy to find any more. Most of the old parts yards are all gone. Sky high scrap prices coupled with the land boom prior to '08 took out almost all the good yards where they just let stuff sit. Now all the yards grind everything up as soon as it comes in and ship it out. You can still find some backhoe buckets and skid steer stuff, but even that is tough to find local any more.I know a couple places where I could get the plate rolled however and don't think the rebuild would be all that tough to do assuming you've got the right equipment for the job. Turn around might be faster than hunting for hours trying to find a used bucket that will just "bolt" up. Then the question is what condition is this "new" bucket in? How far will you have to drive simply to find out the new bucket needs a rebuild as well? Start adding in fuel and travel time, not to mention down time on the machine and search hours, and the rebuild might be more cost effective. If nothing else, you get work out of the deal if they go with a rebuild....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by lovetoweldMaybe I am wrong for saying this to the customer but I told him that the time and money it takes for me to fix this bucket may not be worth the money for a used one. Also to add to this mess, the back of the bucket had the wear plates removed and never installed...Probably the cause, right? The back skin of the bucket is worn so thin that a chipping hammer could actually pierce a hole through with little force. This happened when the operator was lifting a bucket full of water soaked grass clippings. Any feedback is much appreciated.
Reply:Trouble is, a used one might be in a condition that requires repairs as Mondo stated so fixing the original makes more sense to me too as the owner doesn't have to looking for one.Here's one I did about 1-1/2 years ago that I would consider about the same amount of work.  This one took a couples days if I recall correctly.  Used mild steel plate for the wear pads because it's what I had but might suggest a more appropriate material on a "for charge" job.  Then again, MS plate is certainly better than what is currently there.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=39402Keep us posted on what happens.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Another look at the photos would indicate a previous floor repair was made (seam in curved area) so perhaps too thin of material was use before.  If so, a poor tie-in on at the side DSW referred to coupled with some hard use and . . . ???MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I would say its definitely in the running to just rebuild it. Finding a bucket that is used and not needing work is going to be tough. I had to search high and low to find a 994 23 yrd bucket for a customer. Ended up the closest one was in Canada. So shipping to southern NM was costly and it needed lots of work. Its not to bad to remove the rolled portion and get one made. Any shop with a good 230 ton or so break can get you some 1/2 bumped into shape without much headache. Sides are cake if there thin. Depending on the use most companies like ESCO, Cutting Edge,Berkley all will have AR 500 liner packages for the inside and bottom. good luck one the job. I like doing jobs like this so the more pics the better!
Reply:thanks for everyones feedback and I honestly can say that I agree with all. Would anyone advise to to this job on a portable rig? I have a shop that I can work out of. It's equipped with enough tools to do the job in a comfy environment. I would also have to make a gantry for this bucket to roll it. How much do you think this puppy weighs, the owner says 7 yard bucket. Anyway If I were to rebuild bucket do you think it would be worth it to buy a new edge or weld back the original? Last and final question, is it possible to roll ar 500 of abras alloy plate? I don't think it is..
Reply:We do buckets this size alot off portable rigs but the shop is the way to go. AR plate can be rolled or bump broke for you. The companies i listed can all do it and ship you the pieces. and go with a new edge. it will save time and headache.good luck
Reply:The original welded on edge probably isn't worth trying to reuse unless they really want to go cheap. The tear and bend will probably eat up a bunch of time getting it right. The existing bolt on plates are definitely still good from the look, if a bit worn. Might be able to flip them and just replace all the bolts.I'm a bit spoiled as I've got a supplier within 15 miles of the house that stocks all sorts of teeth, cutting edges, wear plates and so on for heavy equipment for the local quarries, municipalities and contractors. Buying a new edge would be as simple as walking in and picking the one off the "shelf" I want that fits the size of the bucket. Edges for the 10 yd bucket for our 988  were "stock".Again it will probably be a cost vs time issue. Someone who doesn't take care of their equipment will probably baulk at the cost of doing it right and using new parts like the edge. They'd probably rather spend the time to fix the old one because they already have it, even if the quality isn't as good, and it complicates the rest of the build. I'd price out a new one and then figure out how much hassle straightening the old one will be combined with the almost certain headaches of getting the new floor to fit up with the old edge. If the numbers are even close, I'd simply give them a price and buy a new edge and not give them an option on this. Experience has shown going cheap usually ends up costing more in the long run...I've got a heavy 1 1/2" thick 12' long table we've straightened bucket floors on in the past. I really wouldn't be looking forward to heating the edge up with a big rosebud and beating on it with the sledge hammer again...Given a choice, I'd prefer to work in a shop vs on site. Of course you can charge more for mobile service... Another thought if you don't have the equipment to flip the bucket is if they have it on site that you can use. I'd certainly take working on site into consideration if it made moving the bucket easier. That would be my biggest issue. My forklift is so so, and turning the bucket. loading/unloading would be a PITA for something that size for me. Borrowing or renting a machine to help move it around would probably be my option..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan